Here's something that I learned from a rabbi I used to talk to that attended my ex-father-in-law's synagogue. He once explained, and I'm paraphrasing:
"Chris, many people don't understand the purpose of the Law. In the law it states:
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
But why? Does God desire us to be bloodthirsty enforcers of morality? The same God said, "Thou shalt not murder.", and, "Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."
Therefore, the Law reveals not only the wickedness of the adulteress, but also the wickedness of the one who gladly picks up a stone to kill her. It is the righteous one who says 'Wait a minute. I can't do this. I'm not better than this person. And this person is a human being like me, I love them. I can't throw the stone, God. I just can't do it.'"
When he said that, I was instantly reminded of how Christ dealt with the Law on that very issue...
John 8:1-11 (KJV)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
When these blood thirsty religious fundamentalists were confronted with Christ's words, they each decided that their conscience wouldn't let them stone her. Love one the day. She was indeed admonished to go and sin no more. But even if she were caught in the very same act again, do we think Christ's response would be any different? Of course not.
So, what rises up in us when we read...
Leviticus 20:13 (KJV)
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Does a fundamentalist spirit rise up in us that desires to harm them? Or, does something in us recoil from the thought of doing such a thing? For the Law reveals the sinful heart of everyone involved. Worthy of death, perhaps. But, I'm not perfect either. I'm just as worthy of death as they are. God forgive me, I just couldn't throw the stone. I'd want to help them up, brush them off, and say, "This really sucks. Let's all try to do better."
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